Frequently Asked Questions

Our main goal at the Center is to treat every patient as though they are our only patient. Patient education is the first step. We believe it is important to educate our patient’s about the physician who will be treating the patient, the services offered at the Center, and the treatment options available to the patient so that the patient, can be aware of and actively involved in any and all decisions made regarding the treatment option will be best for them.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Q. What is pain management?
A. Pain management generally encompasses a variety of techniques to be used in combination over time to manage your pain. When seeking pain management, it is important to know that there are no quick fixes when it comes to pain. Pain management is simply, what it is called, pain management. Therefore, your pain will most likely not be curable, but with treatment it can be managed.

Q. Why is pain management important?
A. Unrelieved pain can be harmful, especially when you are sick or after surgery. Pain can make it difficult to take a deep breath and interferes with your ability to move and walk, which can result in additional complications.

Q. Who benefits from pain management?
A. People suffering from acute (short-term) pain, which generally results from an injury or surgery and disappears once the body is healed; people suffering from chronic (long-term) pain, which does not always have a clear cut origin or a visible end; people suffering from cancer pain or pain after surgery. No matter what the source of your pain is, it can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Q. When should a person seek treatment for chronic pain?
A. It is strongly suggested that a person seek treatment for chronic pain after nonspecific treatments have failed to minimize the pain and before a person begins to experience stress from the pain.

Q. How much pain reduction can I expect?
A. The amount of pain reduction varies from patient to patient. Typically, a patient will receive 50% to 100% reduction in pain throughout the pain management treatment. Unfortunately, chronic pain treatments will reduce your pain symptoms, but it will not eliminate them completely.

Q. Are there psychological effects of chronic pain?
A. Yes, chronic pain may produce feelings of anger, sadness, hopelessness, and even despair. Chronic pain can alter a person’s personality, disrupt sleep, interfere with work and relationships, and can even have a profound effect on other family members.

Q. What can I expect on my first visit to the Center?
A. On your first visit, a complete medical history and physical exam will be performed and evaluation of your symptoms will be taken and a discussion of the treatment options available to you will be fully explained to you.

Q. Will my insurance be accepted?
A. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation, personal injury, and private insurance. Coverage for pain treatment varies. Be sure to contact you insurance provider to find out what services are covered.

Q. Can I set up a payment plan for costs not covered by my insurance plan?
A. Yes, you can. Please contact our receptionist for more information.

Q. Can I be self-referred to the Center?
A. Yes, you can. A patient does not need to be referred by their treatment doctor. We accept walk-ins. A patient that is self-referred must be sure to bring along clinical information such as x-ray reports, MRIs, NCVs, EMGs, and any medicines prescribed by their primary physician. This information can be obtained from your primary care physician.

Q. What is Worker’s Compensation and how does it work?
A. Worker’s Compensation is a state-regulated insurance program that will pay for the medical treatment of an injury or illness if the injury occurred at work or the disease or illness is job related; and if the worker’s employer has worker’s compensation insurance or is certified by the Texas Worker’s Compensation Commission (TWCC) to self-insure.

Q. Is Dr. Chowdhury qualified in the field of pain management?
A. Dr. Chowdhury has over 30 years of professional experience in the specialty of anesthesia and over 15 years of professional experience in the subspecialty of comprehensive and interventional pain management. His experience as an anesthesiologist includes training with the administration of general and regional anesthesia in the fields of trauma, open heart, neurosurgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, and general surgery. Since 1994, Dr. Chowdhury has dedicated himself full-time to the subspecialty of acute, chronic, postoperative, and cancer pain.

Q. What is acute pain?
A. Acute pain is the result of tissue damage, and is, in most cases, short-lived. The pain gradually disappears through the course of normal healing. Acute pain has an identifiable cause and purpose. Due to the short-term nature of acute pain, persistent psychological reactions rarely result.

Q. What is chronic pain?
A. Chronic pain is pain that can persist for weeks, months, even years. It can be the result of a specific injury (e.g. sprained back) or an ongoing disorder (e.g. arthritis, cancer, shingles). Chronic pain may also occur for no apparent cause. It can hurt all the time or occur all the time. Chronic pain often limits everyday function and may lead to additional stressors such as sleep problems, medication side effects, reduced capacity for performing work, financial hardship, and strain on significant relationships. In addition, experiencing chronic pain and its accompanying stressors may greatly affect a person’s quality of life.